Seasoning a cast iron skillet / myLot

United States

October 12, 2018 6:22pm CST

I am not from the South so cooking in cast iron isn't something that I grew up with. I don't have a skillet that has been handed down through the generations. I bought a few of them brand new and have had limited success in trying to develop some "seasoning" on them. . . well that is not totally true. I only tried on one of the skillets and I didn't have much success until I tried the Cook's Illustrated method with flaxseed oil and the oven. I have since purchased a second 12" skillet that I never bothered to try to season (but I still use) and a brand new 10" skillet. I decided tonight that I really need to stop being a slacker with this so I just wiped the 12" one with some flaxseed oil and I have it in a 500 degree oven for at least an hour. The process will be repeated 4 or 5 times until a nice layer of slickness has been achieved. Then I will do the same for the 10" one. How do YOU season your cast iron items? Have you heard of this method?

The Best Way to Season Cast Iron

www.cooksillustrated.com

The ultimate guide for learning how to season cast iron. We show you how to make a perfect, nonstick seasoned coating for your griddles, pans & cookware.

6 people like this

7 responses

Hillary Ralston

@hillhjill (23664)

• United States

12 Oct 18

I grew up in the south and have always had called food from a cast iron skillet, and I remember seeing people seasoning them.

2 people like this

NJ Chicaa

@NJChicaa (115987)

• United States

12 Oct 18

I did it once already with one of my 12 inch skillets and that thing cooks like a dream.

1 person likes this

Hillary Ralston

@hillhjill (23664)

• United States

12 Oct 18

@NJChicaa That's awesome, I love how food comes out when cooking in a cast iron.

1 person likes this

John Roberts

@JohnRoberts (109857)

• Los Angeles, California

12 Oct 18

You have to "season" a skillet?

2 people like this

NJ Chicaa

@NJChicaa (115987)

• United States

12 Oct 18

Yeah, cast iron skillets take some work in the beginning.

1 person likes this

Angie

@andriaperry (116860)

• Anniston, Alabama

13 Oct 18

Yes, for garlic chose garlic oil, for sesame, use that oil. LOL.

1 person likes this

marguicha

@marguicha (215389)

• Chile

12 Oct 18

I use sunflower oil and paper towel. I never use detergent to wash it, just very hot water.

1 person likes this

marguicha

@marguicha (215389)

• Chile

12 Oct 18

@myklj999 I place it over the gas range immediately. If I don´t, it will rust.

1 person likes this

Kristen Howe

@KristenH (33351)

• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

12 Oct 18

Nice skillet. I don't know about seasoning them, but I do wash them via dishwasher. I still use the ones my mother had in my pantry.

1 person likes this

NJ Chicaa

@NJChicaa (115987)

• United States

12 Oct 18

From what I've read, you should never put cast iron in a dishwasher. But, I guess if you don't have any seasoning on it, it doesn't make a difference anyway. You just have to deal with the rust issues.

Angie

@andriaperry (116860)

• Anniston, Alabama

13 Oct 18

What do you cook in the iron skillet? I make cornbread and fry in mine, mine were given to me and NOT seasoned so the oven and oil is how we do it down here. I know people who do not wash theirs but that is filthy to me, I have to wash mine but there is a trick to it. Never wash them while they are hot. Use warm soapy water, dry and put away.

1 person likes this

NJ Chicaa

@NJChicaa (115987)

• United States

13 Oct 18

I cook meat/fish in mine mostly. I have done cornbread but we don't eat that often around here. Stella Parks has a whole series of cast iron skillet cakes which is why I bought the 10" one. We don't even eat cake really but I'm still tempted to make them just like I made ice cream this summer. haha I wash mine cold too but that is more because I don't want to handle screaming hot cast iron.

I usually just do it the next day. First layer of seasoning is done. I'll do the second and third today.